Las Vegas Day 4 Standouts

LAS VEGAS — The July evaluation period is almost over and thus the end of the AAU travel season. Who stood out on day four of the Las Vegas Classic and Fab 48?

TOP PERFORMERS

Johnny Davis – 2020 – SG – Playground Warriors

Davis had a strong two-way effort during a Saturday morning win over Lone Peak (UT). The 6-foot-4 guard scored 17 points in short order. As always, Davis got to the bucket at will. One of the better slashers in the Midwest, Davis has a great rip through and a quick first step to blow by defenders. Defensively, Davis was in lock down mode. He slid his feet very well, beating the ball handler to the spot and cutting off all straight-line drives.

Will Mahoney – 2019 – G – Ray Allen Select

Mahoney helped Ray Allen Select advance on Saturday with a team-high 14 points. A skilled combo guard, Mahoney moves really well with and without the ball. He’s more quick than fast, but has the ability to free himself for open looks on the perimeter or blow by defenders and get to the rim. Able to play on or off the ball, Mahoney seems to be an excellent Division 3/small school prospect with potential at the Division 2 level if schools can overlook his size.

Kamari McGee – 2021 – PG – Wisconsin Sharks

A physically advanced point guard that can get to the rim, McGee was in attack mode throughout the Sharks’ win over the Colorado Cardinals in 15U bracket play. McGee is quite explosive with the ball in his hands. If there’s even a slight driving lane, he’s able to get to the rack. His finishing skills need some work, but McGee absorbs and/or delivers contact very well. The sophomore guard also got hot from 3-point range, connecting on four triples en route to 20 points. With the game in the balance throughout most of the second half, McGee absolutely took over in the final minutes to keep his team on top.

Preston Ruedinger – 2021 – PG – Pack Attack

Haven’t seen this kid play poorly or have an off night yet this summer. A solid all-around floor general, Ruedinger scored in double figures and dished the basketball well in a blowout victory over Mater Dei to advance Pack Attack into the 15U Platinum quarterfinals. Wise beyond his years, Ruedinger plays mistake-free basketball and makes everyone around him better. When he wants to score, Ruedinger is a strong spot-up shooter and can push the pace in transition. It’s early, but he’s got some skills that appear to be D1 level. Depending on how much he grows, that may dictate what level the Lourdes Academy standout ends up.

STOCK BOOSTERS

Isaiah Hoyt – 2021 – W/G – Wisconsin Sharks

This kid is going to be a player for The Prairie School. Hoyt has very good all-around athleticism and makes a lot of noise as a two-way player. Defensively, Hoyt was very sound against the Northern Colorado Cardinals and helped turn the game in the second half with a few steals that turned into transition buckets. A high motor wing, Hoyt flourished in transition and just never seemed to stop working. His energy and effort resulted in a game-high 22 points in what was a tight game throughout.

Mason Madsen – 2020 – PG – Playground Warriors

Madsen had arguably his best performance of the Fab 48 Saturday morning. He was terrific in transition, looking off defenders and finding open teammates for easy buckets — including a couple of behind the back passes while he was at top end speed. A blue collar guard that gets after it, Madsen plays the game at a high intensity level. He’s had a breakout spring/summer offensively, showing the ability to score from all three levels consistently. By this time next year, we’ll probably be talking about one of the better mid-major recruits nationally.

Antuan Nesbitt – 2021 – F – Wisconsin Sharks

Nesbitt has some of the better upside in the 2021 class. A 6-foot-2 forward with great length, Nesbitt can pull bigs away from the rim, handle the ball on the perimeter, and go to work. A smooth driver, Nesbitt’s handles make other forwards uncomfortable as he can even play some point forward. Nesbitt is a better passer than you’d think as well, always drawing multiple defenders and willing to dump it off inside. Defensively, Nesbitt altered and blocked a handful of shots. He needs to get a long stronger and expand his shooting range, but the coordination and effort level seems to be what you’d look for in a top 10 prospect in the state, if not higher.

Brett Perronne – 2021 – F – Pack Attack

He might get overshadowed by some of the talent on Pack Attack and even on Kimberly as well, but Perronne is a quality prospect that can stand on his own. A physical forward that can bang inside and shoot a little bit from outside the paint, Perronne scored 16 points to lead Pack Attack in a blowout win over Mater Dei (CA). It was a mismatch for Pack Attack, but Perronne didn’t settle for jump shots. Instead, he always got the best available look, putting the ball on the deck and challenging defenders, who could do little to slow him down.